Man Pleads Guilty To Killing Of Housemate In Pasadena

William Timothy Whittaker, of the 7700 block of Catherine Avenue, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the April 4, 1990, death of 54-year-old Clifton John Montgomery. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison term of no more than 20 years whenWhittaker is sentenced June 19.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

In a statement to police, Whittaker said that he and Montgomery had been arguing the night of the killing and that he had rebuffedMontgomery's sexual advances. He said he had gone into the kitchen and grabbed a butcher knife to make a ham sandwich when Montgomery grabbed his buttocks.

"That's when I come around and by the time I realized it, it wastoo late," Whittaker told police. He then described how he stashed Montgomery's body in a crawl space under the house.

Whittaker told police he was laid off and had been living rent-free at Montgomery's house.

An autopsy report showed Montgomery died ofmultiple stab wounds.

Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia M. Ferris said authorities found no evidence of any ingredients for a ham sandwich. She added neighbors saw Whittaker threaten to kill Montgomery earlier the day of the murder.

Whittaker entered an Alford plea, in which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the existence of sufficient evidence to convict him.